Foot-guard



(No Model.) J. H. BLOMSHIELD.

FOOT GUARD.

51m/ventilo@ .BIOTISAII ff E,

Patented May 22, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN I-I. BLOMSHIELD, OF WEST BAY CI'IY, MICHIGAN.

FOOT-GUARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.520,031, dated May 22,1894.

Application led June 8; 18931 Serial N0. 477,026. (N0 modl.)

To a/ZZ whom t may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN Il. BLoMsHIELD,

la citizen of the United States, residing at West Bay City, in thecounty of Bay and State of Michigan, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Foot-Guards and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in frogfillings or foot guardsfor blocking frogs, switches and other cavitiesformed between adjacent sides of convergent rails.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this class thatshall possess advantages in point of simplicity, durability,inexpensiveness and general efficiency.

With these and other objects in View, Iemploy various novel combinationsand arrangements of elements which will be hereinafter more fully setforth and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had totheaccompanying drawings forming part of this specification wherein likeletters indicate corresponding parts in the several views, in which-Figure 1:- is a view in end elevation of one form of adjustable blockembodying my improvements and showing the same applied to the rails.Fig. 2 is a top plan view, showing the block closed. Fig. 3:- is asimilar view, showing the block extended. Fig. 4:- is a View in verticalsection, taken longitudinally of the block. Fig. 5:- is a fragmentaryview in side elevation of one end of the block. Figs. 6 and 7 aretransverse sectional views taken on the lines 1 2- and 8 4-respectively.

In the drawings: Rd denotes the point rail formed by the meeting ends ofthe inner rails -RR of the main track and switch, which are of the usualT-form, and in the angular opening formed between these rails, thefootguard or frog-block is removably secured. This block consists of abase-plate -B- which terminates at one end in an apertured or notchedL.-shaped foot B- through which a spike may be driven to secure theblock against longitudinal movement or play, and as a means forstrengthening the block to effectually withstand abnormal strainsorsudden shocks, I provide it with a centrally disposed and longitudinallyextending rib -T- which may beintegral or removable, as desired. Thenusing the ribbed form of base-plate, I cut away portions of the rib toform openings or recesses -IIG- for the purpose of readily admitting ofthe insertion and passage of the securing bolts or rivets -M-M-U-E-. Thelast named bolt is provided with a lock-nut -F- which will behereinafter referred to. At the extremity of the base-plate opposite theterminal footpiece, two Wings -A-A- are secured to swing horizontallyabout a vertical pivot-bolt -L and are provided with double headedretaining bolts or rivets -M--M- which latter are secured in aperturesof the Wings and project through and work loosely in curved transverseslots of the base-plate. These wings are angular in cross section and ofsimilar-construction,theend-fiangesC-D- being so relatively arranged asto close one over the other.

S-S- represent coincident slots which are formed in the flanges CD andthrough these slots the bolt -E- passes with the lock nut -F on theprojecting end thereof, thus, the wings may be adj usted to any desiredangle to lit snugly into angular openings of varying sizes and securelyheld in such adj usted position by the lock-nut, as is clearly shown inFig. l. To prevent possible slipping of the flanges after being properlysecured, as for example, when the nut works loose, the engaging facesthereof may be corrugated, milled or otherwise roughened. I do notconfine myself to this particular' form of locking device for the wings,as various contrivances may be substituted therefor, such as theextensions -xof the wings, which are provided with terminal apertured ornotched heads, through which spikes -7t may be driven, as shown bydotted lines, Fig. -3-.

To secure the block in position between the rails and against verticaldisplacement, I provide the wings with threaded openings 7a2-jinto whichthe screw-threaded studs -J-Je-f-KwK-are secured and proj eet later- ICD. ally, with the outer ends engaging the web of the rails at pointsadjacent the base-flange and head thereof.

` a-arepresent lugs or flanges on the upper faces of theY wings whichare preferably formed integral therewith. These flanges are arranged soas t0 abut against the head of the rails and with the engaging facesthereof substantially at right angles to the lateral studs J-JKK-, thuseffectually bracing the block against lateral movement. At the smallerend of the block a tapered plate -P- is secured and serves to completelybridge or cover the extreme point of the angular opening between therails.

Having thus fullydescribed my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a foot-guard, the combination with a 'base-plate, of duplicatewings mounted thereon to swing in opposite directions and means forsecuring thewings al any angle of adjust ment, as specified.

2. In a foot-guard, the combination with a. base-p1ate, of duplicatewings mounted thereon to swing in opposite directions, a looking deviceadapted for securing the wings at any angle of adjustment, and thelateral adjustable projections of the wings adapted for engaging therails, as specified.

3. In a foot-guard Ythe combination with a base-plate having a terminalL-shaped foot and provided with suitable strengthening ribs, ofduplicate Wings angular in cross section and mounted on the base-plateto swing in opposite directions, a locking device adapted for securingthe wings at any angle of adjustment, the lateral adjustable studs ofthe wings, and the end flanges, as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. BLOMSHIELD.

Witnesses:

DAVID LUMGAIR, L. B. EDINBOROUGH.

